Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Essendon

Price

€€
€€€
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

BallaratEastern SuburbsInner CityInner City NorthInner City WestInner East

Areas

AbbotsfordArmadaleBrunswickCarltonCarlton NorthCoburg

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

155 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Johnny's Green Room restaurant

1. Johnny's Green Room

4.2

Awesome(97)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Carlton

Booked 1 time today

Situated on the rooftop of the iconic King & Godfree building in the heart of Lygon Street’s Little Italy, Johnny’s Green Room is a Tuscan-inspired terrace with dazzling city skyline views and an enthusiastic appreciation for la dolce vita.Conceived by award-winning designer Dion Hall, Johnny’s evokes the good times of an Italian summer with a semi-retractable roof enabling those summertime vibes to be enjoyed year-round. We have acclaimed chef Karen Martini on board as our Culinary Director, her relaxed menu of Italian-style sharing dishes beautifully complemented by Melbourne bar maestro Matt Bax’s delicious program of Italian-accented cocktails and wine and a rolling roster of the finest DJs in the land.Named after the classic Carlton nightspot that in the 70s and 80s attracted the bohemian and the notorious like moths to a neon-lit flame, Johnny’s has been reimagined for a whole new generation of Carlton habitués.

2. Rin Sura

4.8

Exceptional(456)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Asian • Brunswick

Booked 10 times today

Brunswick's newest dinning establishment offering a range of unique Thai cuisine and signature cocktails.Modern Thai cuisine & craft cocktails lie in store at this stylish restaurant with a bar.

A photo of Bird Bang´n Chicken restaurant

3. Bird Bang´n Chicken

4.7

Exceptional(144)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• American • Brunswick

Booked 14 times today

Bird is a big-hearted Chicken Bistro & Bar.Check in for a session with friends and soak up the chilled vibe at the new brunswick local.Chicken is our thing paired with Brunswick’s largest Australian craft beers, wines, spirits and cocktails list.For Bang’n Chicken and Booze, follow your beak into Bird.

4. Cross Keys

4.3

Awesome(256)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Australian • Essendon

Booked 8 times today

A local favourite for over 150 years, The Cross Keys Hotel is the perfect spot to bring the family. The Cross Keys boasts an impressive bistro serving up tasty meals Monday through Sunday, a fun kids room, a lively sports bar showing all the must see games on the big screens, a modern TAB facility and two spacious event rooms. With weekly specials and all your favourite pub classics, what isn't too love? See you at The Keys !

5. 2 Fat Greeks

4.6

Exceptional(230)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Greek • Essendon

Booked 18 times today

Experience the best in truly authentic Greek street food with our range of souvlaki, pitas, chips and salads!The masters of delicious Greek food!Offering a huge range of tasty meat, seafood and vegetarian options, we prepare all our dishes fresh to order. Come in and experience the best Greek street food, mouth watering desserts, and plenty of drink options. See you soon!

6. Good Gnocchi

4.7

Exceptional(176)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Carlton North

Booked 25 times today

A very relaxed and delicious bar & bistro in Carlton North. GG's has a selection of light antipasti alongside gnocchi, pasta and comforting mains. Wash it down with a fun cocktail, or browse our delicious and approachable wine list.

7. Kumo Izakaya

4.6

Exceptional(219)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Brunswick

Booked 19 times today

Our restaurant offers contemporary Japanese-inspired cuisine. Our menu comprises mainly smaller dishes, from sashimi to deep-fried dishes, meat, vegetarian, and more - perfect for sharing with friends. We offer a selection of wine, craft beer, and sake to complement your meal.Our Izakaya is a traditional Japanese establishment where eating and drinking are equally important. It's a meeting place where people come to bond and forget their daily worries. It's a place where people can share good food, great drinks, and create lasting memories. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a full night out, we invite you to join us at Kumo for an unforgettable experience.

8. Chicano Taqueria

4.3

Awesome(5)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Fitzroy

Booked 2 times today

Chicano Taqueria began life as an underground pop up in Brunswick in late 2020. After a lot of hard work, sweat, tears and literally thousands of tacos we're proud to announce we have become a permanent fixture at 371 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne.Our brand new dining room features an open kitchen and chefs table, so you can see where the tortillas are made. Also new to the menu is our range of sipping tequilas and cerveza (beer), the perfect accompaniment to tacos topped with our spicy house made hot sauce.Come join us at our brand new location for the same tacos you know and love.

9. Benzina Cantina

4.4

Awesome(147)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Preston

Booked 4 times today

Benzina Cantina, nestled along High Street in the vibrant heart of Preston, is your go-to destination for good times, mouth-watering food, and top-notch tequila. Inspired by the fresh and tasty flavours of street-style Mexican cuisine, Benzina Cantina offers a lively dining experience with neon-lit signs that add a fun and energetic vibe to the space. The rooftop terrace is the perfect spot to savour a hot taco and an ice-cold margarita. Whether you're popping in for a quick, hearty local meal or planning to stay into the night for some fun, Benzina Cantina has you covered. This popular Mexican restaurant in Preston is renowned for its lively atmosphere and delicious offerings, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and visitors.

A photo of Bluestone American BBQ restaurant

10. Bluestone American BBQ

4.8

Exceptional(756)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Barbecue • Coburg

Booked 12 times today

Bluestone American BBQ features a Latin American spin on authentic low and slow traditions from the US BBQ belt. Chef Alvaro Malel draws inspiration from his Uruguayan heritage, and his passion for cuisines from both American continents to reimagine smoked classics like Yearling Beef Short Rib with chimichurri, and Pit-Braised Pulled Lamb with salsa criolla and arepas.His talent for bringing together the best of North and South American food traditions has been a drawcard for diners across Melbourne since the restaurant opened seven years ago. He credits the success of Bluestone to his Uruguayan culture and heritage, which is all about “food, family and fire…BBQ is a feature of all my best memories. There’s no better way to celebrate milestones, or to just kick back and have fun with the people you love. Bluestone has always been about creating that experience for other people.”

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Shauna
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We were new to the restaurant but will return. The food was delicious, the service was quick and the staff were very pleasant - a very pleasant experience.
More info
Kan Eang by Thai CulinaryPrice: Expensive• Thai• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4
R
Ross
Canberra •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
The food, service, and vibes were all immaculate as always. Will be back asap.
More info
Bodega UndergroundPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4
C
Con
Melbourne •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
Excellent food, excellent service. Toilet could have been cleaner, it was very busy. Will go back, very very good.
More info
Kata KitaPrice: Moderate• Asian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.7
A
Andrew
Melbourne •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on 25 Jan 2025
We were a service for three people and had a nice table in the courtyard dining area. We had been there previously but had a table inside. Tables were well spaced and comfortable. Ordered Nachos as an entree between us. This was a small mistake as the serve was large and delicious. We overindulged a little. For mains we had the Trio of Tacos, Blanco Curry Chicken and the Lamb Cutlets. A wide variety was available on the menu for all tastes. The serves were again sizable. We struggle a little to finish then after the Nachos. Our service person was helpful and all food and drinks were delivered in a timely manner. The mains arriving just as we finished our Nachos. Overall the meal cost just under $150 for the food and drinks. My sister complimented the frozen margarita she had. Pleasant company, good meal.
More info
Benzina CantinaPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Preston
•
4.4

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